Background: A dysregulated cortisol response in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) is related to systemic inflammatory activity. Moreover, a dysfunctional activation status of neutrophils in CAD has been discussed. The anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticoids are mediated by annexin-1 (ANXA1), a protein mainly expressed by innate immune cells. An altered expression of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) and ANXA1 has been associated with glucocorticoid resistance.

Methods and Results: Salivary cortisol levels were measured in the morning and evening during 3 consecutive days in 30 CAD patients and 30 healthy individuals. The neutrophil expression of GR and ANXA1 was determined by flow cytometry. The effect of exogenous ANXA1 was determined in neutrophil stimulation assays. The patients showed a flattened diurnal cortisol pattern compared to healthy subjects, involving higher levels in the evening. The neutrophil expression of GRtotal and GRα, as well as the ratio of GRα:GRβ expression was significantly decreased in patients, whereas the GRβ expression did not differ compared to controls. The neutrophil expression of ANXA1 was significantly increased in patients. Ex vivo, ANXA1 suppressed LTB4-induced ROS production in neutrophils from patients, but not from controls. On the other hand, ANXA1 impaired the LTB4-induced up-regulation of β2-integrins in both patients and controls.

Conclusion: CAD patients displayed a more flattened diurnal cortisol rhythm caused by higher cortisol levels in the evening compared to healthy subjects. Our findings indicate a chronic overactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis but give no conclusive evidence for glucocorticoid resistance, as assessed by the neutrophil expression of GR and ANXA1. The data rather point towards an increased anti-inflammatory potential in neutrophils from patients with stable CAD.

Objective: There is emerging evidence for CD8(+) T cell alterations in blood from patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We examined whether the distribution and phenotype of CD8(+)CD56(+) T cells differed according to the clinical manifestation of CAD. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMethods: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS, n = 30), stable angina (SA, n = 34) and controls (n = 36) were included. Blood was collected before and up to 12 months after referral for coronary investigation. CD8(+)CD56(+) T cells were assessed by flow cytometry for expression of surface markers, apoptosis, and intracellular expression of cytokines. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanResults: The proportions of CD8(+)CD56(+) T cells were significantly higher in both ACS and SA patients compared with controls, and remained so after 3 and 12 months. This was independent of age, sex, systemic inflammation and cytomegalovirus seropositivity. CD8(+)CD56(+) T cells differed from CD8(+)CD56(-) T cells in terms of lower CD28 expression and fewer apoptotic cells. Both CD8(+) T cell subsets were positive for interferon (IFN)-gamma and tumor necrosis factor, although IFN-gamma was significantly more confined to the CD8(+)CD56(+) T cells. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusion: The persistent accumulation of CD8(+)CD56(+) T cells in ACS and SA patients share several features with immunological aging. It also contributes to a larger IFN-gamma(+) pool in blood, and may thereby hypothetically drive the atherosclerotic process in a less favorable direction.

Background: Increased proportions of circulating proinflammatory CD56+ T cells have been reported in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Yet, little is known about regulation of these cells. In the present study, we investigated the expression and potential role of the glucocorticoid-mediated protein annexin A1 (AnxA1) in CD56+ and CD56-T cell subsets, with focus on CAD.

Methods and Results: We included totally 52 healthy individuals, 28 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 57 patients with a history of ACS. AnxA1 mRNA expression was assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. AnxA1 protein expression (total and cell surface-associated) was measured by whole blood flow cytometry in circulating CD56⁺ and CD56- T cell subsets. Furthermore, inhibitory effects of dexamethasone and/or recombinant AnxA1 on cytokine secretion by CD56⁺ and CD56^- T cells were explored in vitro. We found that CD56⁺ T cells (the majority CD8⁺), expressed higher levels of AnxA1 mRNA and protein than did CD56^- T cells. When comparing CAD patients with healthy controls, significantly higher levels of cell surface-associated AnxA1 expression were seen in patients, most pronounced in ACS patients. In vitro, dexamethasone reduced cytokine secretion by CD56⁺ T cells, whereas AnxA1 alone had no effect, and AnxA1 combined with dexamethasone abolished the dexamethasone-induced suppressive effects.

Conclusion: AnxA1 was expressed more abundantly in proinflammatory CD56⁺ T cells. Patients with ACS exhibited increased levels of cell surface-associated AnxA1, thus indicating increased activation of the AnxA1 pathway. Our data further suggested that AnxA1 might counteract glucocorticoid mediated anti-inflammatory effects in T cells.

An imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory actions is believed to drive progression of atherosclerosis. Annexin A1 (AnxA1) is a key player in resolution of inflammation and a mediator of anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids. Here, we investigated whether expression of AnxA1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was altered in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and also related findings to glucocorticoid sensitivity ex vivo.

We included 57 patients 6-12 months after acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 10 patients with ACS, and healthy controls. AnxA1 mRNA was measured in PBMCs and AnxA1 protein was assessed in monocytes and lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry. In post-ACS patients and controls, glucocorticoid sensitivity was determined by measuring inhibitory effects of dexamethasone on LPS46 induced cytokine secretion.

AnxA1 mRNA levels in PBMCs were higher in patients compared with controls, although most pronounced in ACS patients. AnxA1 protein was most abundant in the monocyte fraction. ACS patients exhibited the highest levels of cell surface-associated AnxA1 protein while levels in post-ACS patients and controls were similar. Ex vivo assays showed that PBMCs from post-ACS patients were more prone to release IL-6. Glucocorticoid sensitivity correlated with cell surface-associated AnxA1 protein in peripheral monocytes. Dexamethasone also induced upregulation of AnxA1 mRNA.

AnxA1 expression in PBMCs is closely associated with glucocorticoid actions and cell surface associated AnxA1 appears to be a marker of glucocorticoid sensitivity. Although still speculative, a “normal” expression of cell surface-associated AnxA1 in post-ACS patients may suggest that glucocorticoid actions in vivo are insufficient to provide adequate anti-inflammatory effects in these patients.